Glimpses of Japan

Ise Jingu is one of the most important and sacred Shinto shrines in Japan. It enshrines Amaterasu Mikami, who is considered the supreme deity of Japan in Shinto belief. This means that Ise Jingu is the guardian deity of the Japanese people.  It is said that traveling was not allowed for all people in the past, and going to Ise Jingu was an exception. Traveling to Ise Jingu was a huge lifetime event for people during the Edo period; over 4.6 million people visited the shrine in six months.  I took my first trip to Ise Jingu in February 2024. It was a precious, sacred, and magical experience.  A special ceremony for National Foundation Day I visited on February 11, a national holiday called "National Foundation Day." To celebrate the foundation of Japan, Ise Jingu holds a special ceremony. I woke up early and watched the ceremony, which started at 7:00 AM. The ceremony included a parade of Shinto priests, performances of traditional musical instruments, and praying. The Shi...